The Power of Smile ™ Oral Health Library

Stay up to date on the current topics and trends in dentistry. Articles are updated regularly on topics that discuss the importance of oral health as it relates to overall health from our team of experts.






Meet The Clinicians



Learn about current topics and trends in dentistry and the importance of oral health as it relates to overall health from our team of experts.



Dr. Eileen Crespo, MD

Eileen Crespo, MD

Dr. Eileen Crespo is the Vice President of Medical Services at Delta Dental of Minnesota. Dr. Crespo is a practicing pediatrician of 20 years. She is currently a fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and a member of the Board of Directors at Children’s Dental Service and the Minnesota Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics.

Dr. R. Bruce Templeton, DMD

R. Bruce Templeton, DMD

Dr. Bruce Templeton is an oral surgeon and has served both on the board and as a medical consultant for Delta Dental of Minnesota since 2011. Dr. Templeton has served as both the Chief of Dentistry and Oral/Maxillofacial Surgery at the Minneapolis Veterans Affairs Health Care System, and as a clinical professor at the University of Minnesota School of Dentistry.








Recent Articles




Picture of hands holding a smartphone with a webpage titled "Dental Jewelry" displayed along with a thumbnail of a smile with a dental gem adhered to a front tooth
September 14th, 2023

Trend alert: Tooth gems

Tooth gems are a way to add a unique look to your smile; however, modifying teeth in this way can have negative oral health consequences. Learn the facts about these accessories before deciding if they are right for you.

3 young children sit around a table in a classroom talking with one another.
August 24th, 2023

Tips to begin a healthy school year

The new school year is a great time to freshen your family's oral health supplies! Here are a few suggestions to add to your back-to-school shopping lists.

Dentists wearing gloves work providing treatment to young patient in dental chair wearing safety goggles
August 3rd, 2023

Help kids fight cavities this summer

Summer is a great time to get kids caught up on routine dental visits and seek additional preventive care treatments ahead of the school year! Learn about fluoride treatments and dental sealants.

Woman with a blue band aid on her arm labeled: HPV
July 20th, 2023

Why you can talk to your dentist about the HPV vaccine (yes, really!)

Even though medical and dental treatments are looked at as separate – the HPV vaccine is an area where integration between the two is important. HPV infection is thought to cause 70% of cases of cancer in the back of the throat and tonsils (also known as oropharyngeal cancer). The vaccine prevents these types of cancer-causing infections.

Young woman looking at her reflection in the mirror as she uses dental floss to clean the spaces between her teeth.
June 20th, 2023

Interdental cleaners: how to choose

Cleaning the spaces and surfaces between your teeth is as important as the front and back. Unfortunately, using a toothbrush is not an effective way to clean these hard-to-reach spaces. Besides traditional floss, there are other ways to keep these spaces free of plaque and build up. Take a look to see which option may work the best for your routine!

Man waking up from an unrestful sleep and rubbing his face with his left hand
June 6th, 2023

What does snoring do to your mouth?

Snoring can cause some negative oral health consequences. Learn what the risks are and how to help prevent snoring.

Picture of a child sitting at a desk in a classroom covering her face as though she is crying. An adult sits next to her, patting her on the back and comforting the crying child.
May 23rd, 2023

Mental health & oral health in youth

Since May is Mental Health Awareness Month, we are focusing on the connection between mental health and oral health, specifically for children and adolescents. Anxiety and depression in youth doubled during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Dentsist talks to young woman sitting in the dental chair pointing to her cheek to indicate tooth pain.
May 15th, 2023

What is root canal treatment and when is it needed?

May is Root Canal Awareness Month. In this post, let's take a look at this treatment to understand what it is and when it is needed.

Woman in focus smiling at camera with her arm around a man who is out of focus in the background
April 20th, 2023

Oral Cancer and Head & Neck Cancer Awareness

April is Oral Cancer Awareness Month and Head and Neck Cancer Awareness Month. Let's take a look at the warning signs in the mouth and ways to reduce the risk of contracting these cancers.

A drawer full of dental tools with a gloved hand selecting one tool and picking it up
April 11th, 2023

Do dental fillings or restorations need to be replaced?

Just like your natural teeth, fillings, crowns and restorations are affected by age and quality of care. Learn about filling, crown and restoration options and their expected longevity.

Young woman brushing her teeth with a green toothbrush while standing in front of white tile
March 27th, 2023

How do our teeth change as we age?

Just as our bodies and minds change with age, so do our teeth. Let's look at a few changes you might notice as you hit different milestones in your lifetime.

View of a person's face with their mouth open while two gloved hands use dental tools on the teeth
March 8th, 2023

What do my teeth tell me about my health?

We often mention the impact of oral health on overall health, so let’s take a look at the ways signs or symptoms in the mouth can point to other greater health concerns.